Defuniak Springs florida area attractions and things to do in the florida panhandle.

DeFuniak Springs
County seat of Walton County

Walton County, Florida's seventh largest, stretches from the Gulf of Mexico to the Alabama state line and covers more than a thousand square miles. The highest point in the state, at 345 feet, is at Lakewood State Park located in the northwestern corner of the county. The beaches of South Walton are said to be the best in America.

DeFuniak Springs, located very near the middle of the county, is within half an hour driving time to almost every attraction the county has to offer.

Every possible water sport from Sailing and water skiing to fishing and cave diving are possibilities for your stay at Hotel DeFuniak. If your interests run to less participatory activity such as antique shopping or sight seeing, the area provides for those as well.

Some Suggestions

Beautiful Lake DeFuniak is surrounded by Chipley Park and Circle Drive which is lined with a symphony of architectural gems. The Walton County Heritage Associations Walking Tour brochure is available at the front desk. As the homes are privately owned they must be enjoyed from the street.

Chautauqua Auditorium: Built in 1909, the original building hosted the Florida Chautauqua programs until the City of DeFuniak Springs bought the hall and grounds. The main auditorium was destroyed by a hurricane in 1975 but the remaining structure is used for community and social functions. It also houses the Walton County Chamber of Commerce offices.

Walton DeFuniak Library: At 100 Circle Drive is the oldest library in Florida continuously operating in the same building since 1887.

Eden State Gardens and Mansion: Located at Point Washington on County Road 395 north of U. S. 98, the Eden Mansion and its ten acres overlook Choctawhatchee Bay. Built in 1897, the house has a typical southern garden of sweeping lawns and informal groupings of evergreens, live oaks, magnolias, azaleas and other flowering shrubs and flower beds. Tours: (850) 231-4214

Ponce De Leon Springs State Recreation Area: While not the fountain of youth the Spanish Explorer hoped to find, the principal feature of the area is the natural spring with two main boils which flow from a horizontal limestone cavity in the center of the pool. The boils produce 14 million gallons of crystal-clear water daily at a year round temperature of 68-degrees.